Summer Health Care Internship Program at North Shore Health
North Shore Health was fortunate to have two interns this summer through the Minnesota Hospital Association and Minnesota Department of Health Summer Health Care Internship Program (SHCIP). Ben Obinger and Bear Foster were able to shadow in most of the departments at North Shore Health. All of the departments were asked to include our summer interns in meaningful ways and they definitely rose to the occasion. Here are some highlights about each of our interns.
Ben Obinger attends the University of Minnesota, Duluth. “I am currently pursuing a B.A. in Biochemistry with a music minor. In the future, I hope to become a MD or DO candidate, with a primary focus in rural family medicine.”
In the initial questionnaire that the interns filled out before their interview, Ben wrote, “Out of everything listed above [Patient Access, Imaging], the ER sounds like the best way to get connected with a Physician. I hope to talk with them about their experiences and maybe even shadow.”
Ben was able to shadow with the Hospital Nursing staff during one of the procedure days, he shadowed a few times in the ER with Nurses and Physicians and followed patients through their care journey including witnessing a helicopter transfer (in the ER and helipad). He practiced his interview skills with one of the Home Health clients and wrote a paper about what he learned.
“I just wanted to thank you again for making this internship so great. It truly was the highlight of my summer. After being at the critical access hospital for the summer, I am certain that I want to pursue a career in medicine as a rural physician.”
Bear Foster is starting his Junior year at Cook County High School, ISD 166 this Fall. Bear writes in his pre-interview questionnaire: “My goal later in life is to hopefully become a RN. I am taking this summer internship program to essentially "get my feet wet." I am hoping that areas like Physical Therapy, Patient Access and Health Information will …teach me the best ways to approach [the] patient situation. I have always loved the idea of helping people…”
Bear was able to spend time in North Shore Living shadowing a RN, interview and write a paper about the life of a resident in the Care Center. Bear shadowed the RNs and Physicians in the North Shore Health ER and Hospital, his stated favorite part of his internship. “Everyone was kind and helpful; I had a really good experience. I loved learning that in the lab that you could get so much information out of one vial of blood.”
Both of the interns had opportunities to visit:
- Radiology - learning about CT scans and Xray
- Lab - learning about the lab equipment
- Pharmacy - where they were involved in a busy morning or afternoon
- Maintenance - helping with inventory of assets
- Physical Therapy - where staff talked through the how and why during client visits
- Housekeeping - learning the process of cleaning a room
- The HUC desk- making IV and lab draw kits
- 911 ride alongs in the Ambulance with the Paramedics and EMTs
- HIM - sorting charts
- Accounting - posting and sorting mail
Thank you North Shore Health staff for the teachings and experiences you offered to the next generation of health care.
Author: Meghan Flynn, NSH Education Coordinator